2018 Abu Dhabi Masters

[Mick Norris]

Board 1 drawn in 10 moves; board 4 drawn in 16 moves according to chess24 live

[NickFaulks]

1 GM Sargissian (6½) 2680 - GM Korobov, A. (7) 2664
2 GM Dubov, Daniil (6½) 2691 - GM Cheparinov (6½) 2718
3 GM Aravindh, C.. (6) 2581 - GM Salem, A.R. Saleh (6½) 2636
4 GM Debashis, Das (6) 2539 - GM Abdusattorov (6) 2539

Disappointing and seemingly irrational decision by Sargissian to make a quick draw on top board, though it does make good sense for Korobov. Perhaps they just don't relish playing a big game early in the morning?

edit : ditto board 4. 7 points would have brought a significant prize, 6.5 will get next to nothing.

[Richard Bates]

1 GM Sargissian (6½) 2680 - GM Korobov, A. (7) 2664
2 GM Dubov, Daniil (6½) 2691 - GM Cheparinov (6½) 2718
3 GM Aravindh, C.. (6) 2581 - GM Salem, A.R. Saleh (6½) 2636
4 GM Debashis, Das (6) 2539 - GM Abdusattorov (6) 2539

Disappointing and seemingly irrational decision by Sargissian to make a quick draw on top board, though it does make good sense for Korobov. Perhaps they just don't relish playing a big game early in the morning?

edit : ditto board 4. 7 points would have brought a significant prize, 6.5 will get next to nothing.

Doesn’t your edit rather contradict your initial post?

[Chris Rice]

As I mentioned yesterday the prize fund for this tournament is extremely good. For the Masters (in US dollars):

1st 13,000
2nd 7,500
3rd 5,500
4th 3,500
5th 2,000
6th 1,500
7th 1,000
8th 800
9th 700
10th 600

For the struggling chess pro there is motivation to make sure you take something away rather than going for broke.

[NickFaulks]

Doesn’t your edit rather contradict your initial post?

No it doesn't, unless Sargissian is so poor that he values roughly $4k more highly than an even chance ( or higher, since he has White ) of $10k plus. This is certainly an issue in the big North American Opens where GMs live from hand to mouth, but I doubt it applies to him.

At least the players are having a go in Dubov - Cheparinov, which is as you would expect.

[Chris Rice]

Dubov wins to finish equal first with Korobov and Saleh with 7.5/9. Saleh said his alarm only went off 10 minutes before the round started and after a quick shower he got to the board 20 minutes late. Nick's comments above, regarding Sargissian, are interesting because Saleh, despite his late arrival, accepted a bad position to keep the game going and Dubov played a line a pawn down for the same reason. Fortune favours the brave I guess.

PS Dubov who was about to resign at one point against Cheparinov fisnished his analysis with "I didn't play well today, but at least I was brave". Finally Nigel won for a decent 6/9.

[Chris Rice]

Following his game with Richard Rapport today, 14 year old Sarin completed his third norm and will be India's 53rd GM.

[Paul Dargan]

Normally in the UAE prizes are NOT split - so bucholz cut1 (or2) determines first and all of the money. If you know you have a good tiebreak draws can make sense

[Ian Thompson]

Normally in the UAE prizes are NOT split - so bucholz cut1 (or2) determines first and all of the money. If you know you have a good tiebreak draws can make sense

In this one the top 10 places were determined using Arco (Average Rating of Opponents Cut 1) where players were equal on points. Money was then divided using the Hort system, except for 1st prize. This resulted in the following prizes:

AD Winners.jpg

For what it's worth, I think that if Sargissian had won his game he would have been second, and got $7000. If he'd lost he would have been 7th and got $1050.

[NickFaulks]

In this one the top 10 places were determined using Arco (Average Rating of Opponents Cut 1) where players were equal on points. Money was then divided using the Hort system, except for 1st prize.

Thanks, that is very helpful. I had checked the website, but did not find this information.

It doesn't make Sargissian's decision not to try for a win with White look any more financially rational.

[Nick Burrows]

Maybe he was simply off colour or didnt sleep well - who knows?

[David Sedgwick]

Nigel won for a decent 6/9.

His last round win keeps him in the top 100 on the Live Ratings List.

[NickFaulks]

Maybe he was simply off colour or didnt sleep well - who knows?

I did suggest earlier that he didn't relish an important game early in the morning, and that still seems plausible. It is unforgivable to wreck the last round in this way.

[JustinHorton]

Money was then divided using the Hort system

Explained here should anybody other than me require this service

[Paul Cooksey]

Wreck seems a bit strong. I don't see any obligation to entertain. Practically, I don't think you have a 50/50 shot playing all out for a win. It is a prisoners dilemma.

I imagine he was warming up for the Olympiad where he will score very heavily for Armenia on a low board again.